Trans-generational response of TiO2 nanoparticles in inducing variability and changes in biochemical pool of lentil F2 progenies

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to analyze the role of anatase nanoparticles in inducing genetic variability in lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) for yield improvement and subsequent involvement in development, quality, and biochemical response of second-generation seedlings through their lifecycle. Trans-generational alterations in the morphological and biochemical pool of the plant system were evaluated over a range of concentrations (25-200 µg/mL). Analysis of F2 seedlings showed an increase in yield parameters at the lowest concentration (25 µg/mL). Biochemical studies revealed that the F2 plants experienced lower oxidative stress as compared with previous generation plants. Quality analysis of seeds revealed a slight positive shift in the mean values of seed protein content at the lowest concentration. The effect of nanoparticles on the growth parameters was antagonistic except at the lowest concentration, where the growth parameters were found to be slightly higher than in the controls. The variability present in different traits in the F2 populations was quantified as phenotypic variability and its components, which is a measure of the transmissibility of variations of the so-called mutated populations as a result of nanoparticle application.